HC Deb 13 March 1992 vol 205 c773W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of raising the income support personal allowance to the level of the personal allowance for those aged 25 years and over for people aged(a) 18, (b) 19, (c) 20, (d) 21, (e) 22, (f) 23 and (g) 24 years.

Miss Widdecombe

The estimated disaggregated costs are shown in the table.

Benefit (£ million)
Age IS CCB HB Total
18 55 5 60
19 60 5 5 65
20 50 50
21 40 5 50
22 35 5 40
23 35 5 40
24 30 5 35
Total 305 15 25 340

Source: Data shown from the 1987–89 family expenditure surveys and the 1990 annual statistical inquiry, modelled at 1992–93 prices and benefit levels.

Notes:

1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £5 million. Because of this individual columns or lines do not necessarily sum.

2. — Indicates a cost of less than £2.5 million.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of income support who have a child included in their assessment of entitlement are aged(a) 18 to 19, (b) 20, (c) 21, (d) 22, (e) 23 and (f) 24 years.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is shown in the table.

Income support recipients who have children
Age group Number of claimants (000's)
18 to 19 42
20 33
21 39
22 40
23 51
24 53

Note: All figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Source: Annual statistical inquiry May 1990.